Abdulaziz Al-Helail, the managing director of IDC Saudi Arabia, said that demand for personal computers (PCs) declined 25 percent against the same period last year, according to a report released by a local newspaper.
“The PCs market across the Middle East has suffered from an annual decline of distribution with a margin of 0.6 percent in the fourth quarter of 2012,” he said. He further elaborated that total shipments to Jeddah amounted to 5.3 units, with shares of two million for office computers, which represents an annual decrease of 3.7 percent, against a growth of 1.3 percent for laptops, amounting to 3.3 million units of shipments.
Despite the efforts of companies that produce office computers, the report by IDC said that the increasing demand on laptops from consumers and the commercial sector alike, has led to a decrease in the demand for office computers.
The growing popularity of tablets in the region has led to a sluggish demand on laptops, according to the report, as the fourth quarter of 2012 witnessed the largest decline compared with the previous three quarters of the same year.
Commenting on the same issue, Fuad Rafiq Sherqlah, IDC research manager for the Middle East, Africa and Turkey said, “The increasing confidence in tablets among users prolonged the energizing cycle of laptops.” He added that the failure of ultra-slim laptops in the markets is a result of their high prices. “This, and the poor response to “Windows 8” operating system of Microsoft, led to the sluggish demand on PCs.”
The shipment of notebooks to the region declined as indicated in the report, due to the increasing demand on tablets, which are less expensive in price.
The markets in the UAE and Saudi Arabia saw a decline in PC shipments, however the decline in Saudi Arabia was sharper, with consumers driving forward the demand on tablets.
On the other hand, the Turkish market witnessed a rise in demand as companies pumped huge shipments there, which made Turkey restore its position as the largest market for PCs in the region.
The share of companies producing PCs varied, as the report indicated that HP witnessed an annual growth of 32.7 percent, shipping 1.1 million units in the fourth quarter of last year, backed by increasing demand from both consumers and businesses. DELL ranked in the second place, recording a 26.6 percent market share.
Meanwhile, China’s Lenovo continued its growth, raising its shipments to the Middle East and Africa to 51.2 percent. The report indicated that Acer ranked fourth with a decline of 3.2 percent annually, followed by Toshiba with 1.6 percent.
Demand for PCs declining amid growing popularity of tablets
Demand for PCs declining amid growing popularity of tablets
Saudi leadership approves over SR3bn of Ramadan aid disbursement
- Initiative part of government’s efforts to improve quality of life, enhance standard of living
RIYADH: The Saudi leadership has approved the disbursement of over SR3 billion ($800 million) to social security beneficiaries as part of an aid initiative during the holy month of Ramadan.
Under the leadership of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the scheme will address the needs of beneficiary families and fulfill their requirements during Ramadan, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Over SR3 billion will be given as follows: each breadwinner will receive SR1,000, and each dependent in the household will receive SR500. The funds will be deposited directly into the bank accounts of the beneficiaries on Tuesday, March 18, the SPA said.
Saudi Minister of Human Resources and Social Development Ahmad bin Sulaiman Al-Rajhi expressed gratitude to the Saudi leadership for helping to provide citizens with a decent livelihood.
The initiative is part of the Saudi government’s efforts to improve the quality of life and enhance the standard of living for social security beneficiaries, especially during Ramadan, the SPA added.
Nearly 11m iftar meals served at Two Holy Mosques during first half of Ramadan
- Number iftar meals provided during Ramadan to has increased this year due to growth in the number of Umrah pilgrims at Grand Mosque and Prophet’s Mosque, officials say
MAKKAH: Saudi authorities provided almost 11 million iftar meals to Umrah pilgrims and other worshippers at the Two Holy Mosques in Makkah and Madina during the first half of Ramadan.
The General Authority for the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque said on Monday, the 17th day of Ramadan, it has provided 10,822,999 iftar meals and 10,290,000 packets of dates so far during the holy month, which is a time of worship for Muslims during which they fast from sunrise to sunset.
The authority said the number of iftar meals it provides during Ramadan to pilgrims performing Umrah, and other visitors to the mosques, has increased this year due to growth in the number of pilgrims, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The food is served in designated iftar areas at the mosques, in adherence with strict health standards to ensure the safety of worshippers, it added.
In the run-up to the holy month, the authority introduced an online service through which individuals, charitable organizations and endowments could submit requests to donate iftar meals at the Grand Mosque, the SPA added.
Palestinian, Egyptian envoys awarded with King Abdulaziz Sash of the Second Class
- Basem Al-Agha and Ahmed Farouk Tawfiq were given the awards for their efforts to strengthen relations between their countries and the Kingdom
RIYADH: The Palestinian and Egyptian ambassadors to Saudi Arabia were awarded with the King Abdulaziz Sash of the Second Class on Monday.
Basem Al-Agha and Ahmed Farouk Tawfiq were given the awards for their efforts to strengthen relations between their countries and the Kingdom, Saudi Press Agency reported.
Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji awarded the sashes on the directive of King Salman, SPA added.
Saudi Culinary Arts Academy receives full institutional accreditation
- The accreditation follows an agreement signed on March 10 between the academy and the Education and Training Evaluation Commission
RIYADH: The Saudi Culinary Arts Academy (ZADC) was awarded a full institutional accreditation certificate on Sunday, with the support of Prince Saud bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, Governor of the Eastern Province.
The recognition was granted during the inauguration ceremony of the academy’s new building on March 16.
The accreditation follows an agreement signed on March 10 between the academy and the Education and Training Evaluation Commission to implement institutional accreditation processes.
The achievement underscored ZADC’s commitment to maintaining the highest standards of quality and excellence in culinary education and training.
By equipping national talents with specialized skills, the academy aims to contribute to the growth of Saudi Arabia’s tourism and hospitality sector.
The achievement also aligns with the broader efforts of the Education and Training Evaluation Commission to ensure quality and excellence in education and training institutions across the Kingdom.
Saudi Foreign Ministry hosts Iftar reception for diplomats and international organizations
- Several senior ministry officials attended
RIYADH: Under the patronage of Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and in the presence of Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji, the Foreign Ministry hosted a gathering of the heads of diplomatic missions, regional offices, and international organizations accredited to the Kingdom to mark the holy month of Ramadan.
The ministry hosted an iftar reception at its headquarters in Riyadh, and those attending, which included several senior ministry officials, exchanged Ramadan greetings and engaged in cordial discussions, enhancing communication with diplomatic missions in the Kingdom, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
